• The Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities has announced the 20 recognized categories, each endowed with 30,000 euros. 

• The researcher from Carballo was awarded for her “excellent work in multiple areas of machine learning,” particularly highlighting her study on AI and green algorithms. 

According to the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, “the most important recognition in Spain in the field of scientific research” was awarded this 2024 edition to Verónica Bolón, a researcher at the CITIC of UDC, for her work in multiple areas of machine learning. This award is part of the National Research Awards, which recognize the contributions of 20 professionals working in various scientific fields, each receiving an individual grant of 30,000 euros.

Green Algorithms

Specifically, the award received by the researcher from Carballo in the María Andresa Casamayor category was for her work on artificial intelligence and sustainability, which has a clear social application, including the use of algorithms for disease diagnosis and assistance in detecting ocean spills.

For Verónica Bolón, “winning this award is a dream come true, a recognition of my professional career.” She expressed gratitude to the research staff with whom she collaborates, stating, “I cannot thank enough all the researchers I work with or have had the pleasure to collaborate with, as science is certainly not something done individually.” She also highlighted that this edition has the highest number of women recognized, emphasizing the necessity of giving visibility to the contributions women make in science.

The Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities, Diana Morant, praised the talent of the awardees and noted that this edition features the highest number of women recognized, stating, “In previous years, fewer applications from female researchers were submitted.” In fact, in 2024, two other Galician researchers or those working in various scientific institutions in Galicia also received awards for the quality of their work: Cristina Blanco from the University of A Coruña and Beatriz Peláez from the Singular Center for Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS, USC).